Are You Basic?
Jul 14, 2020
The term "Basic" is often used these days as an insult. Urban Dictionary describes Basic as:
1: Someone who's only interested in popular, trendy, or mainstream topics or events.
2: Used to describe someone devoid of defining characteristics that might make someone interesting, extraordinary, or simply worth devoting time or attention to.
Sounds horrible right?
n other words, "You're so plain", or "Vanilla". I'm here to tell you why being Basic or Vanilla might be an amazing thing!
Speaking of Vanilla, let's talk about cupcakes. If you know me at all, then you know I love cupcakes. Once upon a time, I thought about baking cupcakes as a side hustle. I started dreaming of my cupcake menu and Vanilla didn't make the list....at first. After a quick internet search, Vanilla consistently makes the Top 5 list of any bakery. Why? Because it's a classic. Dare I say, basic? I thought it was too plain and people wouldn't like something that wasn't exotic. I was dead wrong. I made multiple flavors of cupcakes and do you know what was the star of my menu? Yep, Vanilla. Every single time.
"The basics work, but hardly anyone ever works the basics."
-Denise Duffield Thomas
The truth is, the beginning of every story has to start with the basics. However, you're expected to leave those behind to advance along your journey. Things get complicated when we get so advanced that we move away from the basics, often forget them, and certainly downplay how important they are to our continued success. It's almost like we're conditioned to believe that every problem needs an advanced solution. They don't. Sometimes, simple really is the best possible thing you can do. There are people out there who make their entire fortunes, careers, and are wildly successful because they do the basics better than anyone else.
One person's BASIC is another person's ADVANCED. Remember that! We're all at different places in our lives and the things that are so simple for you could be incredibly advanced for someone else. Don't be afraid to share your knowledge, talents, and skills because you think they're too simple. Remember our old friend, Vanilla? It's considered a basic cake or ice cream flavor but exotic in perfumes and lotions. It comes from an orchid and the beans are coveted to elevate that simple cupcake to the next level. It's also an aphrodisiac. That's certainly not basic!
So, the next time you're tempted to belittle yourself in any way, remember the lesson of Vanilla. You can be simple and exotic all at the same time.
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